Vaughn: Cards interested in Lowrie?

Credit: Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics slides in to score on a double by Yoenis Cespedes #52 in the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals at O.co Coliseum on June 30, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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(BaseballStL) -- Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said on Tuesday that he doesn’t want to deplete his stock of quality young pitchers in his quest for a new shortstop.

That may mean Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies is out of reach. Trading for Tulowitzki would likely cost the Cardinals at least two of their young pitchers and a position player. Mozeliak is leery of dealing away the depth that was instrumental in helping the Cardinals win the National League pennant in 2013.

Jed Lowrie may be a more realistic option. Pete Gammons of the MLB network is reporting the Cardinals are showing interest in Lowrie, who just enjoyed the best year of his career with the Oakland A’s. Lowrie hit .290 with 15 home runs and 75 rbi’s. He’s 29 years old. The A’s are reportedly ready to bring up minor league shortstop Addison Russell to the majors, and Lowrie is blocking that move.

Lowrie could be had for a reasonable price. The Cardinals would likely have to part with only one young player. Nobody would compare Jed Lowrie to Troy Tulowitzki. But Lowrie would definitely be an upgrade for the Cardinals at shortstop, and allow the team to retain most of their highly prized young pitchers.